Redbud tree (Cercis canadensis) variety named &#39;Gold Crown&#39;

ABSTRACT

A novel variety of the redbud tree  Cercis canadensis  was discovered in Northern Oklahoma. It exhibits vibrant whitish-yellow spring colors, often mottled (variegate) with unstable green and white chimera which may be reversed. The whitish-yellow leaves cover eighty (80%) percent of the spring tree growth, giving the tree the appearance of having a golden crown. The variety known as ‘Gold Crown’ also branches readily, resulting in relatively full, spreading foliage even in young trees.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES AND THE VARIETY DENOMINATION OF THEPLANT CLAIMED

Cercis canadensis ‘Gold Crown’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to a new and distinct variety ofdecorative redbud tree known generally by the scientific name Cerciscanadensis. I discovered it growing in a cultivated area in my yard inGrove, Okla., in 2001. I have given it the name ‘Gold Crown’ because ofits noticeable and distinctive spring and summer foliage.

No federally sponsored research or development was involved in thisinvention.

2. Background

Redbud trees provide striking early blooms highly noticeable indeciduous forests while their neighbors still are masked in the gray ofwinter. Thus, redbud trees represent one of the first harbingers ofspring. Once their blooms disappear, however, redbud trees become almostunnoticeable amid their neighbors because they assume a dull greencolor. A redbud tree which retains a showy nature throughout its foliageperiod would be attractive by contrast.

The Cercis canadensis redbud tree, commonly called “Eastern” redbud, isa widely grown ornamental and naturally occurring tree with a widehabitat in the southern and eastern United States. It does exceptionallywell in the warm climates. It is generally characterized by spreadingbranches with heart-shaped, simple leaves replacing pink and magentaearly spring flower clusters along its branches.

The instant novel variety of redbud tree now discovered has size andshape characteristics similar to other Eastern Redbud trees, butdisplays a showy, whitish-yellow foliage in early spring which causes itto appear to be wearing a golden crown. Spring foliage occasionallyincludes mottled (variegate) leaves with unstable chimera which may bereversed in come cases. The showy foliage persists into summer and fall.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The novel cultivar of the present invention, named Cercis canadensis‘Gold Crown,’ is believed to be a variant of Cercis canadensis butdistinguished by striking coloration variations. Specifically:

(a) new growth exhibits distinctive, white or light yellow, oftenvariegated coloration of its leaves;

(b) during summer, the white leaves turn yellow, creating a crown-likeappearance on the new growth portions of the tree.

(c) more vigorous branching in young trees, resulting in full, spreadingfoliage at a young tree age.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a photographic view of a mature original tree in spring toearly summer, exhibiting the golden crown effect on its new growth.

FIG. 2 is a photographic view of the trunk of the mature original treeof FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a photographic view of the tree of FIG. 1 in summer,exhibiting full, mature foliage (against a white backdrop to set itapart from the woodsy background).

FIG. 4 is a photographic view of a group of branches with the new springgrowth of the tree of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a photographic close-up view of one branch of the tree of FIG.1 and the distinctive leaf variegated coloration.

FIG. 6 is a photographic close-up view of the summer leaf and ‘goldencrown’ effect on the tree of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a photographic close up of a new, late spring growth colorvariation (golden, variegated, with chimera) of the tree of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a photographic close-up view of the major branches of themature original tree of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a photographic view in winter time of the mature original treeof FIG. 1 without foliage and showing overall trunk and branchingstructure.

FIG. 10 is a close-up view of the winter time view as in FIG. 8 view ofthe mature original tree of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The instant variety of redbud tree was discovered as a seedling growingamong other redbud trees of the Cercis canadensis species in my frontyard near a nursery in Grove, Okla., in 2001. It was successfullyasexually reproduced in my yard by bud grafting onto Cercis canadensisseedlings and by semi-hardwood cuttings at the nursery. The novelcharacteristics are reliably transmitted to succeeding generations.

The following specific description of the instant redbud variety detailsits unique characteristics. Color terminology refers to The RoyalHorticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart.

-   Origin: A tree of unknown origin, Gold Crown is similar to other    Cercis canadensis varieties except for spring and summer leaf    coloration. In particular, the spring leaf coloration exhibits    whitish-yellow (RHS 145A) overtones, occasionally having mottled    (variegate) green and white chimera which are unstable and may be    reversed. Summer leaf coloration changes to light yellow (RHS 145C)    for substantially 80% of leaves, while the other 20% turn the dull    green typical of Cercis canadensis, resulting in a canopy of yellow    providing the appearance of a tree wearing a crown. Fall coloration    is substantially the same yellow (RHS 145C) as typical Cercis    canadensis. Leaf shape matches the Cercis canadensis profile    (simple, cordate, acuminate), differing most noticeably by their    size, which are two (2″) inches wide and long, whereas the typical    Cercis canadensis is three (3″) inches to four (4″) inches wide and    long. Branching is active in young trees, presenting full, spreading    foliage early in tree life.-   Classification: Cercis canadensis ‘Gold Crown’.-   Parentage: Unknown; believed to be a seedling variation, mutation or    adaptation of Cercis canadensis.-   Shape: Deciduous tree, nearly isodiametric, with rounded crown and    spreading branches, its breaks (stems) being three to four inches or    closer than presumed parentage of Cercis canadensis. See FIGS. 1, 3.-   Height: Six (6 ft.) feet, increasing an average of twelve (12)    inches per year, slowing with age but expected to reach    approximately fifteen (15) feet at maturity, as typical of Cercis    canadensis. See FIGS. 1, 3.-   Spread: Five and one-half (5½ ft.) feet increasing an average of one    to one and one-half (1-1.5 ft/yr) feet per year, slowing with age    but expected to reach twelve to fifteen, and occasionally eighteen    (12-15, 18 ft.)] feet at maturity, as typical of Cercis canadensis.    See FIG. 1.-   Trunk: Smooth bark, even in young trees, reddish-brown to    brown-black in color similar to and as typical of Cercis canadensis,    with tan or light-brown, lenticils abundant on both trunk and main    branches. Caliper size is one (1 in.) inch in four (4) years,    measured at ground level. See FIGS. 2, 8.-   Branches: New growth is white (RHS 145A) to yellow (RHS 145C),    browning to typical Cercis canadensis branch coloration as it    matures. Develops more branches than typical for Cercis canadensis,    however, in a zig-zag growth patern, the depicted example having    developed twenty-eight (28) branches off its main trunk within three    to four (3 to 4 yrs.) years. The effect is full, spreading foliage    in young trees. See FIGS. 3-5, 8-10.-   Leaves:    -   -   Shape.—Simple, heart-shaped, two (2 in.) inches long and two            (2 in.) inches wide in mature leaves. Glabrous,            ovate-deltoid, entire margins, slightly acuminate apices,            cordate bases and veined axils on the underside. See FIGS.            4-7.        -   Color.—The spring leaf coloration has whitish-yellow (RHS            145A) (FIGS. 1, 4, 5, 7) overtones, occasionally mottled            (variegate) green and white chimera which is unstable and            may be reversed. Summer leaf coloration on new growth            exhibits the spring whitish-yellow (RHS 145A) (FIG. 3), 80%            of which changing to light yellow over 95% of their            surfaces, the remaining 5% of leaf being dull green normal            for Cercis canadensis. Remaining 20% of leaves are 80% the            dull green normal for Cercis canadensis, while 20% are light            yellow (RHS 145C). Fall coloration is yellow (RHS 145C).-   Petiole: Moderate Yellowish pink (RHS N170D) in spring, maturing in    summer to the reddish brown normal for Cercis canadensis. Sized:    average one thirty-second ( 1/32 in.) inch in diameter; average one    (1 in.) inch in length, with extremes of two (2 in.) inches in    length. Surface texture smooth. Can occur every one-half (½ in.)    inch. See FIGS. 6, 7.-   Winter buds: Typical of redbuds one-eighth (⅛ in.) inch or less in    length, flattened and somewhat appressed; one or more often present.    Color normal for Cercis canadensis.-   Flowering: Unknown; expected to be perfect, reddish purple in bud,    opening to rosy pink with purplish tinge, inflorescent. Size:    one-half (½ in.) inch long borne on a one-half (½ in.) inch pedicel,    four to eight (4 to 8) together, fascicle or racemose. Blooms in    early spring (early March to early April in Oklahoma) typical of    Cercis canadensis redbud trees.-   Reproductive organs: Unknown, since flowering unknown. Expected to    be typical of Cercis canadensis redbud trees.-   Pollen: Unknown, since flowering unknown. Expected to be typical of    Cercis canadensis redbud trees.-   Fruit: None yet observed; expected to be expected to be very similar    to other Cercis canadensis varieties, having true pods (legume),    brown, two to three (2 in. to 3 in.) long, one-half (½ in.) inch    wide; reddish to green prior to maturity.-   Disease resistance: Typical for redbud trees.-   Climate: Weather tolerant in Zones 5-9 (USDA hardness guidelines).    Typical of redbud trees in that it has low chlorophyl and needs    shade, at least when young.-   Comparison to other cercis canadensis varieties:    -   -   Crown.—Similar rounded crown.        -   Trunk.—Similar smooth, even in young trees, color            reddish-brown normal for Cercis canadensis, with lenticils            present but not prominent.        -   Branches.—Different, producing multiple branches every three            to four (3″-4″) inches, thereby presenting full, spreading            foliage even in young trees.        -   Flowers.—Expected to be similar in color, identical in size.        -   Reproductive organs.—Similar monoecious imperfect, pollen            same color as blooms.        -   Fruit.—Expected to be similar or identical.        -   Spring color.—Distinctive whitish-yellow (RHS 145A) and            occasionally mottled (variegate) green and white chimera            which is unstable and may be reversed, turning to            predominately light yellow (RHS 145B) during summer and            yellow (RHS 145C) during fall.        -   Leaf shape and size.—Similar, simple, cordate-accuminate            with entire margins, but smaller (2″×2″) than typical redbud            leaves, which are three to four (3″-4″) inches wide and            long.        -   Hardiness.—Similar weather tolerance to Zones 5 -9. Needs            shaded environment.

1. A new and distinct variety of redbud tree named “Gold Crown”, asdescribed and illustrated herein.